HONORABLE W. S. CRUMP
Among the oldest residents of Clyde is W. S. Crump
the subject of this sketch. In outlining Mi. Crump's career it can be said he is not only a member of the first
hardware store of Clyde but has been one of the most prosperous business men and highly respected citizens. He
has managed his affairs with judgment derived from both ability and experience. For several years he was associated
with Mr. Bartlett under the firm name of Bartlett & Crump. They were the first firm of hardware men established
in Cloud county, in 1869.
Mr. Crump is a native of Indiana, born in Bartholomew
county, near the city of Columbus, on a farm in 1837. He is a son of William H. and Sarah (Smith) Crump. His parents
died when he was young, leaving a family of four children, only one of whom beside himself is living-a sister who
resides in Indiana. Mr. Crump lived on a farm until the breaking out of the Civil war when he became a sutler's
clerk in the southern department of the United States army and was on duty through Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina
and Alabama.
Mr. Crump was married on January 1, 1861, to Sophronia
Fish, who died in January, 1863, leaving two infant sons, Charles and Harry; the former is express agent with residence
in Clyde, and the latter a farmer near Santa Fe, Monroe county, Missouri. In 1889, Mr. Crump was married to Martha
Russel and to their union one son has been born, Wirt R., who is in his father's employ.
Mr. Crump affiliates with the Republican party
and has always been prominently identified with political affairs. During his residence in Manhattan, Kansas, where
he located in 1868, and before becoming a permanent resident of Clyde in 1872, he served on the board of councilmen
which was the beginning of his political career in Kansas. In the spring of 1872, he was elected a member of the
school board of Clyde and in 1875 a commissioner of Cloud county from the first district. In 1874, he was elected
mayor of the city of Clyde and has served three different terms as member of the council. In 1880 he represented
his district in the Legislature and served with distinction. In 1885, he was elected police judge and in 1888,
justice of the peace.
Bartlett & Crump were succeeded by Rushmore
& Son, and during an interval of several years between that event and embarking in the second enterprise of
1896, Mr. Crump was appointed, during Governor Martin's administration, a member of the State Board of Charities.
He held this office from the spring time of 1885 until 1889. He has been treasurer of Elk township for several
years and is the present incumbent. Mr. Crump has been a Mason since 1855, and one of the charter members of the
Blue Lodge and of Concordia Chapter of Clay Center.
Mr. Crump owns a handsome residence property on
Green street, where many of the old settlers located and have grown fine shade trees, making it one of the most
desirable localities in the city. Mr. Crump is a man of fine business qualifications and when he re-established
his store in 1896, his old customers fell in line to give him a patronage he had won by former years of honest
dealing. He is a sagacious business man and his store is complete in its line. Mr. Crump has made a success of
life and is a leader in every good enterprise and is one of Clyde's foremost citizens. (Biographical History of
Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 443-444)
ALBERT TURNER
REID
It is with pardonable pride that the people of
this vicinity speak of the celebrated artist, Albert T. Reid. He is referred to as one of the most distinguished
men Cloud county has ever had among its citizens, in a way that reflects credit upon his high order of talent.
Concordia is the birth place of this rapidly rising
young man, but in the beautiful little city of Clyde, his more recent home and where his mother still resides,
he first gave evidence of the great talent he possessed and has since developed, making him nationally famous as
a cartoonist and illustrator. Mr. Reid is loyal to the friends of his boyhood days and to the place of his nativity.
He refers to Clyde and Concordia people with a feeling akin to reverence and fully reciprocates their attachment
for him and their unbounded interest in his career. His father, the late W. E. Reid, having been a lawyer and banker,
the son was reared with the supposition that he would follow in his father's footsteps. Hence, little or no attention
was given the artistic ability he evinced at an early age, and to which all his energies were concentrated until
his unusual talents stood forth unchallenged.
While a mere boy he won the prize offered by the
Mail and Breeze of Topeka, for the best cartoon, among any and all competitors. That he carried away the honors
from among the seventy-five sketches submitted proved him to be endowed with more than ordinary skill. That was
the turning point in his life. Since then the demand for his work has steadily increased until he stands today
pre-eminently among the best illustrators and cartoonists. His work is characterized for its strong originality.
He is still a young man on the sunny side of middle
life, full of aspirations, and possessing the ambition to execute them, he has not yet reached the climax of his
career. At the beginning of his career in art, he spent three years on the Kansas City Star. From there he went
to the New York Herald and then to the staff of "Judge," and became one of the contributors to McClure's
Magazine. All westerners are especially acquainted with his regular contributions in the Kansas City Journal and
the Topeka Mail and Breeze. His cartoons have made him a power in politics. "In Varying Moods," a charming
little volume, one of the poetical gems of the day, by William Hamilton Cline, is beautifully illustrated and decorated
by Mr. Reid. His excellent drawings in "Cupid is King," by Roy Farrell Greene, have been highly praised
by the best critics in the country. An admirable collection of his humorous drawings illustrates Tom McNeal's Fables.
Mr. Reid is not only gifted in art, but plays the
piano with a skill that denotes more than ordinary talent and has composed a number of pieces. Band masters Sousa,
Innes and Sorrentio have personally complimented his "Guardians of Liberty/' march, and have played it to
enthusiastic audiences during their tours. Lew Dockstader, the famous minstrel gained many an encore with Mr. Reid's
'Dat Meddlin' Coon."
Mr. Reid is unostentatious in his bearing and retains
the simplicity of manner that would marl^ the earlier years of a man's life before known to fame. Instead of a
misguided enthusiasm, what he has accomplished is only an index of what the future holds for him, and although
he is well known, is still rising in prominence in the art world. The self-reliance he was called upon to exercise
in his work undoubtedly developed his talent and his intellectual faculties as well. Natural ability, coupled with
his zeal, established for him a reputation accorded to but few western artists.
The wedding of Albert T. Reid and Miss Vera Low, which occurred in October, 1902, was one of the most brilliant
events ever celebrated in Topeka. Mrs. Reid's talents will enable her to keep pace with those of her husband, for
she is an accomplished musician of rare ability and possesses a beautiful voice. She is a leader in the social
world. Mrs. Reid is the daughter of Marcus A. Low, General attorney of the Rock Island Railroad. She is the original
of many of Mr. Reid's pen and ink girls.
Mr. and Mrs. Reid's beautiful home at Thirteenth
and Fillmore streets in Topeka, is one of the most attractive in that city of homes and the studio on the third
floor is an interesting workshop, from which Mr. Reid turns out the cartoons that provoke mirth, and mould public
opinion and the illustrations that adorn the pages of magazines and books. This is the home of the "Reid Girl."
(Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 444-447)
THOMAS
JEFFERSON JACKSON
T. J. Jackson is one of the pioneers of Kansas.
He settled temporarily in Irving, Marshall county, in 1866, where his wife had relatives living. In December of
the same year he located a claim in Shirley county (now Cloud) in that part of Lawrence that was afterward included
in Elk township. He still retains the homestead which he traveled all the way from Indiana to secure, but lives
in the city of Clyde where he has made a comfortable home. He met with many hardships and his courage was extinguished
to the extent of desiring to return to his home on the Wabash, but he was too poor for the undertaking. He lived
on his homestead nearly thirty years and unlike most of the Kansas farmers, never had a mortgage hanging over his
head. Mr. Jackson was among the party who engaged in the search for Miss White who was captured by the Indians.
He has killed many buffalo. While on one trip in the region of the Salt Marsh, his party was compelled to stop
while a herd of buffalo passed. There were thousands of them packed closely together. As they approached, their
hoofs sounded like the rumbling of distant thunder. The company repaired to a Knoll and waited for them to pass
which required about two hours. The herd was a quarter of a mile in length. The buffalo did not seem excited but
marched in an unbroken line.
The birthplace of Mr. Jackson was Indianapolis,
Indiana. He was born in 1829. His mother died when he was a boy and he was reared in the home of an uncle in Logansport,
Indiana, until the age of eleven years, when he began life for himself. Mr. Jackson has a brother, Noah M., living
at Afton, Union county, Iowa, and a sister, Mrs. Martha A. Bully, near Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Jackson was married in
1848, to Mary E. Short, who was born in Delaware, in 1831. She is a daughter of Joe and Nancy (Benson) Short. Her
father was born in 1812, and her mother in 1810. Aaron, William and Reuben Short, well known citizens of Concordia
are her brothers. Another brother, Jacob Short, is a resident of Florida. The youngest brother lost his eyesight
from fever at two years of age and died when eleven in Indianapolis. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson eight children have
been born, five of whom are living. Martha, wife of Sherman Baker of Riley county, Kansas, a prominent farmer and
stockman. John Marion, a successful man engaged in the implement business in Clyde. Edward Washington, deceased
in infancy. Mary Ann, deceased at the age of ten years. Schuyler Colfax, died at the age of two years. Ella Etta,
an invalid. Lucy May, was the first girl baby born in the Elk creek addition; she is the wife of C. E. Merritt,
a hardware man with residence in Augusta, Oklahoma. Mary Elizabeth Shayler, with her two children, Walter A. and
Lottie L., make their home with the family of her father.
Mr. Jackson votes the Republican ticket and cast
his first ballot for Winfield Scott. In state affairs lie has supported that party ever since. In local affairs
he gives preference to the best man. For many years Mr. Jackson was an anti-secret society man, but overcame his
prejudices twelve years ago and became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are
members of the Christian church and are also active in temperance work. To see Mrs. Jackson one would not suppose
she had passed through the vicissitudes of life and reached the mile stone of three score and ten, as she looks
a much younger woman. Mr. Jackson is an honorable, honest man, held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and
friends. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 448-449)
DAVID HELLER
No man is more justly entitled to space in these
records of Cloud county than David Heller. Sparsely as the country was settled it made a contribution of men to
Uncle Sam and among that number was Mr. Heller. He enlisted April 3, 1862, and was mustered out March 5, 1865,
serving three years. He was in four different engagements, the most prominent of which were Cane Hill, and Prairie
Grove. He was the second treasurer of Quod county and held that office two terms. Was appointed captain of the
militia by Governor Harvey, and was one of the three commissioners under an act of the legislature making it their
duty to estimate the damages done by depredations of the Indians. It will be observed that these elections and
appointments were of a high order and were not misplaced. He was always ready and willing to serve at the post
of danger. Whenever there was an excursion to be made on account of Indians David Heller was sure to be among the
number. His record is a proud one and worthy to be handed down to posterity. (Biographical History of Cloud County,
Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 449)
A. W. CAMPBELL,
M. D.
The career of Doctor Campbell was a checkered one
and though he may have had faults all concede his virtues were many. He was one of the old settlers of Clyde and
contributed to many a sufferer. When called to a sick bed would render all the assistance in his power. He was
kind and sympathetic and the hungry never left his door unfed. He had held the position of United States examining
surgeon since the war.
Doctor Campbell was born in Brooklyn, East Canada,
in 1834. He died October 2, 1880, leaving a daughter twelve years old. Mrs. Campbell died four years prior. He
was buried by the Masonic brotherhood and Grand Army of the Republic, having been a member of both societies.
(Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 449)
JUDGE
LORENZO WESTOVER
Judge Westover who died in Wichita county, Kansas,
October 31, 1893, was a conspicious character in Cloud county. He settled in Riley county in the spring of 1855,
and was one of the first settlers. He came to Clyde in 1870, where he became one of her most distinguished citizens.
He was at one time county attorney of Cloud county, but his special efforts were towards prohibition and female
suffrage. Originally he was a Whig, then a Republican and lastly a third party Prohibitionist. He was a man of
many enemies and is said to have taken advantage of Charles French, his step-son, whose guardian he was, taking
from him something like nine hundred dollars, which caused the people of Clyde to entertain unpleasant recollections
of him. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 449-450)
ANDREW
J. BRADFORD
A. J. Bradford was one of the early settlers of
Clyde and experienced many incidents of pioneer life and met with many reverses, among them losing nearly all his
children within a brief space of time. He served one term as under sheriff of Cloud county a short time before
his death. Mr. Bradford was an old soldier. He was a member of Company G, 2d Colorado Cavalry, under the leadership
of Captain Boyd, and a comrade of J. B. Rupe. Mr. Bradford was born at Middlesex, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and died
in Concordia, December 24, 1893. Mr. Bradford was a pioneer, coming to Kansas in 1866. He was a brave and honored
soldier, a patriotic and highly respected citizen. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh,
1903, Page 450)
JOHN HENRY
HUFF
J. H. Huff was for twelve years the genial proprietor
of the Clyde House, (now the Commercial). He was a prominent citizen and came to Clyde in 1871. He served several
times as marshal and on the board of council. He ran for sheriff in 1882, and was defeated by Dan Wilson. Two years
subsequently ran again and was defeated by Ed Marshall. Mr. Huff was an old soldier-and spent eighteen months in
the Andersonville prison. He died at his home in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, February 11, 1894. His remains were brought
to Clyde for burial where he had a son and two daughters resting in Mt. Hope cemetery. (Biographical History of
Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 450)
CHARLIE
DAVIS
Charlie Davis, one of the oldest settlers of Cloud
county, was the first merchant the county ever had. He opened a store in a log cabin in Clyde in 1865, where he
remained until 1873, when he moved with his family to Glen Elder, Kansas, where he lived until his death, April
2, 1881. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 450)
E. D. NEELY
E. D. Neely, now of Crowley, Texas, was one of
the pioneers of the Republican valley and for a long time the outside settler on the north side of the Republican
river where the buffalo grazed around his house. His old homestead was the farm now owned by Peter Pistch. Mr.
Neely was the first probate judge of Cloud county and figured in all the incidents of the early settlement of the
county. Was one of the party who discovered the awful fate of the Lew Cassel party. (Biographical History of Cloud
County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 450-451)
ROBERT H. VINING
The late Robert H. Vining came to Kansas in March,
1868, and located on Elk creek, in Republic county. On January 1, 1869, he was married to Martha J. Oliver, who
survives him and is now living in Clyde. Their wedding was distinguished as the first marriage ceremony performed
in Republic county, and by the Reverend R. P. West, the pioneer preacher of both Republic and Cloud counties.
Mr. Vining was born in Henry county, Illinois,
in 1846. Though very young, in March, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry.
He lost a leg in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain and was discharged at the United States hospital at Camp Douglas,
Illinois, in February, 1865. Mr. Vining was patriotic and proud that his lost limb was given to the cause of his
country. He was well known throughout the northwest and had served as marshal of both Clyde and Concordia. On October
12, 1888, this old pioneer's sudden death was announced. Mr. Vining was familiarly known as "Peggy,"
and was buried with patriotic honors, his body wrapped in the emblem of his country. There is a bit of sentiment
in connection with this. Some time before his demise Mr. Vining and Jacob Sohlinger entered into an agreement by
which the surviving party should prepare a flag to enwrap the body of his dead comrade. True to his obligation,
Mr. Sohlinger prepared the stars and stripes used for that purpose.
Mr. Vining was manager of the Western Detective
Agency of Clyde, which was established in 1879. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh,
1903, Page 451)
FRANK
HOAGLAND
Among the early settlers of 1865, who took an interest
in the welfare of Clyde was F. Hoagland. He started a blacksmith shop in connection with B. V. Honey, living in
Clyde for several years, when he removed to Ellsworth county, Kansas. Mr. Hoagland was a highly respected citizen
and enterprising man. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 451)
RANDAL
HONEY
One of the most prominent of the old settlers of
Elk township was the late Randal Honey, born at Windsor, Vermont, February 2, 1820. Mr. Honey came of hardy, loyal
New England stock. His grandfather served in the Revolutionary war and his father, Joseph S. Honey, fought under
General Wade Hampton with the Army of the North in the War of 1812, taking part in the famous battle of Plattsburg
on Lake Champlain, in the autumn of 1814, when two thousand British attacked the American forces numbering but
fifteen hundred, and were repulsed and driven back. In 1838, when eighteen years of age, Randal Honey moved with
his parents to Trumbull county, Ohio; the trip was made by way of the Erie canal and lake steamer. After locating
at this point he learned the carpenter trade; though he did not follow it through life, it served him well in after
years in helping build up and improve a new country.
On February 3, 1842, he was married to Miss Polly
A. Phillips, of Trumbull county, Ohio. The hearts united on that day remained linked together not alone by the
laws of the land, but by bonds of love and tenderest affection which grew stronger, tenderer, sweeter as the years
rolled by till death bid them part more than three score years later. For sixty eventful years this couple journeyed
side by side along the pathway of life; strongly up the steeps of life, bravely along the crest of middle age,
trustingly, peacefully, serenely, down the western slopes toward the setting sun. In 1856 Mr. Honey and his family
moved overland to Wisconsin, locating in Jefferson county. Here they made their home until March, 1864, when the
homestead lands in the great new west prompted another change and they came to Kansas, locating in Cloud county
(then Shirley). Mr. Honey took his homestead on the Republican river at the mouth of Elm creek, eleven miles east
of where Concordia was located several years later. The homestead taken at that early day was still his when called
to his eternal home thirty-eight years afterward. When Randal Honey and his little family arrived there were but
eight families located in the little settlement on the banks of Elm creek. The vast stretch of prairie on all sides
furnished grazing ground for countless thousands of buffalo. The nearest postoffice and the nearest store were
sixty miles away. Every family within forty miles were neighbors. Only people who have helped develop a new country
can appreciate the homes obtained by these pioneers who risked their lives and braved the hardships and privations
incident to the frontier. Mr. Honey built for himself a hewed log house and laid therein a puncheon floor. That
house stands today, but with its shingled roof and siding over the logs it would scarcely be recognized by those
who saw it a third of a century ago when it was the most commodious house in the county, and sheltered all the
inhabitants of the settlement on those nerve-trying nights when Indian rumors filled the air and it was uncertain
whether or not the morning dawn would find all scalps in place. In those early days Indian raids were common, bountiful
harvest uncommon and tried men's nerves and tested their courage and resourcefulness. Through all those years of
danger, hardships and privations, through Indian scares, hot winds, grasshoppers and other discouragements, the
subject of this sketch never wavered; with unshaken faith in the future of the country, with calm determination
and a resourceful nature he bore his full share of the burdens and with a willing hand lent courage to others.A
great reader he kept posted on the events of the times and took a lively interest in politics, but quiet and unassuming,
he never sought political preferment. To him, home was everything. Probably the only office he ever held was that
of postmaster at Elm Creek before and during the time of the Waterville-Beloit stage line. Ever brave hearted and
cheerful, always good natured and generous to a fault he had no enemies and his friends were limited only by the
extent of his circle of acquaintances. Such in brief was the life of this good man and when the summons came March
5. 1902, he met his death as he had met the difficulties of life, calmly, peacefully, and with a heart as pure
and a faith as simple as that of a child.
His aged wife, his companion for sixty-two years,
two daughters and two sons survive him. The four children are Mrs. Rosella Wilcox and Mrs. Kitty Zedeker, both
of Cloud county; Elson H. Honey, of Cuprum, Idaho, and Henry R. Honey, of Mankato. His eldest daughter, Rosella
(Mrs. Matt Wilcox), taught the first school, and hers was the first wedding solemnized in the county.-[The above
in substance was taken from the Mankato Advocate,-Editor.] (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs.
E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 451-453)
THE FARMERS'
VOICE
The Farmers Voice was first issued by the Farmers'
Voice Company January 21, 1901. It was instituted to advocate the principles of the "Farmers' Alliance."
J. J. Henley assumed control April 14 of the same year and a few months subsequently purchased the interests of
the other members of the company. The paper has been continued along the same lines-steadfastly advocating the
principles of the Populist party and Democracy; always staunch for fusion and fusion principles. The Voice is classed
as a Democratic paper, but it has always advocated the same policy.
J. J. Henley was born in Randolph county, North
Carolina, January 11, 1849. He was reared and educated in the common schools of that locality. Mr. Henley was a
pioneer of Kansas, having come to the state in the autumn of 1869. In the spring of 1870 he homesteaded the northwest
quarter of section 35, town 5, range 1, across the Republican river, just one-half mile south of Clyde. From 1876
to 1887 Mr. Henley followed mining in Arizona, but returned to Cloud county and took up newspaper work. Mr. Henley
was married in 1893. His family consists of a wife and two engaging children, Edna, aged seven, and Bryan, aged
five. Page 453)
JOHN M.
THORPE
One of the pioneers who shared in the hardships
of the frontier and one of the "main stays" of the new settlement was John M. Thorpe. He came 10 the
county in company with J. M. Hagaman, whose lives having been spent on the wild prairies together made them bosom
friends. Being the head of a family Mr. Thorpe did not enlist in the army but was patriotic enough to contribute
two sons. Mr. Thorpe was the first justice of the peace with jurisdiction extending over the whole county. There
were not many law suits but he became a sort of general expounder of the law and people accepted and were usually
satisfied with his decisions. However, the early settlers had enough to employ their time without going to law.
For a considerable length of time there was no
regular physician this side of Manhattan or Junction City. This want was supplied by J. M. Thorpe who apparently
possessed considerable knowledge of the human system, with remedies for its disorders. Many can testify to having
been brought back to health through his treatments. He generally performed these duties gratuitously, and in this
way made himself very useful. However, the people were generally hale and hearty, as no one would come so far away
from medical aid who was not. Mr. Thorp removed to Russell county and in losing him the county sustained a loss
not easily repaired. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F. Hollibaugh, 1903, Page 453-454)
MOSES HELLER
"Uncle Heller" as he was known, was looked
upon as the father of Clyde and surrounding country, having been one of the first to erect his log cabin in the
Republican valley. He was among the first and ranked with the most prominent of the first settlers. Coming west
in so early a day and at an advanced age, proves him to have been a man of great pluck and energy. He was a man
of exceptional integrity and justly enjoyed the confidence and respect of the whole community. He settled in Elk
township in the year i860, when but few men had traversed this section, and located where the beautiful little
city of Clyde now stands. He enjoyed the honor of being the first postmaster in Cloud county, a position he held
until the latter part of the 'seventies, receiving the appointment from Montgomery Blair, in 1864. Old age was
the cause of his resignation. Prior to the establishment of the postoffice at Clifton, he used to carry the mail
from Clay Center to Clyde in his hat, and distributed it among the settlers.
The nearest postoffice was Manhattan, but Mr. Huntress,
who was living in Clay Center, was interested with a business firm at Manhattan which took him there every week;
on his return he would bring all the mail for the settlers as far as his house.
Uncle Heller would was there after it, performing
the trip most of the time on foot.
a distance of twenty-five miles. He deposited the
mail in his hat placed it on his head and started homeward, where the settlers were anxiously awaiting his arrival.
Considering these were war times his coming must have been watched for with great eagerness. When asked if he received
any compensation for his trouble he remarked in the negative, adding, he was glad to go for nothing. This service
he performed for over two years. Having a son in the army from whom he was always anxious to hear no doubt made
the task much lighter.
Mr. Heller was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
September 2, 1800; emigrated to the state of Kansas in 1856, and to Cloud county in August, i860. He was among
the three who were appointed county commissioners by the governor at the organization of the county and was elected
to the same office by the people of the county at the next general election, and was made chairman of the first
board of county commissioners. Although not a member of the church he had a high appreciation of Christain religion,
His house was the first in the county thrown open for public worship and also the first in which a Sabbath school
was established; in fact his house seemed to be the radiating center for everything and everybody. Mr. Heller's
house was a sort of gateway to all the old settlers west of him and many a new comer has partaken of his hospitality.
No one entertained more strangers or fed more of the hungry than he. He was also a man of great courage, which
at one time was put to a severe test.
A company of soldiers coming through on horse back
planned to frighten him. They took their places in single file, rushed toward the house on a run giving vent to
a war whoop. Mr. Heller thought of course they were Indians, seized his two six shooters which, be constantly kept
ready for use, placed himself at the window ready to pick off the redskins one by one, as they made their appearance
over the rise at the Elk creek bridge. When the first one put in an appearance Uncle Heller saw his mistake and
was so overjoyed that he met them with both weapons cocked, forgetting to lay them down. The soldiers laughed and
made merry, but concluded that such indulgences might terminate seriously when dealing with such characters as
Uncle Heller. Mr. Heller is destined to live long in the memory of all old settlers. His frank and genial countenance
left an impression that time can not easily efface. (Biographical History of Cloud County, Kansas, Mrs. E. F.
Hollibaugh, 1903, Pages 454-455)
